Hypopyon
An accumulation of pus in the anterior chamber of the eye
Hypopyon[edit | edit source]
A hypopyon is an accumulation of pus in the anterior chamber of the eye. It is a clinical sign that indicates the presence of inflammation within the eye, often due to an infection or other inflammatory processes. The pus is composed of white blood cells, fibrin, and other inflammatory debris.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Hypopyon can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Endophthalmitis: A severe inflammation of the interior of the eye, often due to infection following surgery or trauma.
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, which can be due to infectious or non-infectious causes.
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to hypopyon if severe.
- Behçet's disease: A systemic inflammatory disorder that can affect the eyes.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Patients with hypopyon may experience:
- Redness of the eye
- Pain in the eye
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Visible white or yellowish layer in the lower part of the iris
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of hypopyon is primarily clinical, based on the observation of pus in the anterior chamber. Additional tests may include:
- Slit lamp examination: To assess the extent of inflammation and check for other signs of eye disease.
- Ultrasound: To evaluate the posterior segment of the eye if the view is obscured.
- Culture and sensitivity tests: To identify infectious organisms if an infection is suspected.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment of hypopyon depends on the underlying cause:
- For infectious causes, antibiotics or antifungal medications may be administered.
- For inflammatory causes, corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications may be used.
- In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address the underlying issue.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for hypopyon varies depending on the cause and the timeliness of treatment. Prompt and appropriate management of the underlying condition can lead to a good outcome, while delayed treatment may result in complications such as vision loss.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
